Texas Outdoor Partners
Minutes
Thursday, August 6, 2009, 10:30 am
Cabela’s – Buda, Texas
I. Opening and Introductions
Present: J McKey, L Ellason, G Richardson, B Corrigan, D Mason, M Gookins, C Wolcott, S Keifer, J Parrish, W Bluntzer, L Barton, J Park, and K Brown, on conference line S Nicolle, R Wayland, B Carter, R Huffman, E Parten, Z Hall, J Smarr, and J Betar.
II. Charter amendments and elections
A. Charter amendments
1. Any proposals
After discussion, on motion by Gookins, second by Bluntzer, changes to Charter approved unanimously (highlighted on attachment and below).
STEERING COMMITTEE
Role: Work with a Chair and Vice-Chair to plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the activities of TOP.
Membership: Comprised of 18 partner organizations, with 6 elected annually by the partner organizations (will include the last 2 serving chairs). If an officer or steering committee member resigns or leaves, a new individual will be elected at the next called meeting to serve out the remainder of the term.
Chair: Ascends automatically to two-year term after serving two-year term as Vice-Chair.
Vice-Chair/President Elect: Elected biennially by the partner organizations at the summer meeting in odd years following the legislative session.
Secretary: Elected biennially by the partner organizations at the summer meeting in even years following the legislative session.
Treasurer: Elected biennially by the partner organizations at the summer meeting in even years following the legislative session.
Terms: All steering committee terms are based on the calendar year.
Committee Meetings: As needed.
TOP Meetings: Minimum of two/year, one winter and the second at an annual “summer summit.”
Budget: Developed by the Committee.
Funding: Funds donated by partner organizations as needed to support operating expenses or specific efforts.
Web Site: Maintained through TexasHuntFish.com.
Resource Sub/Committees: Established as needed by the Committee; membership is voluntary.
Replacements The Chairman with the approval of the Steering Committee may replace inactive members (defined as more than 50% unexcused absences over 6 months).
B. Elections
1. Elections of Organizations into TOP
No new organizations were proposed.
2. Elections of Steering Committee
Initially postponed following officer elections to fill steering committee vacancies. Following nominations proposed by responses to email and from the floor, Richardson moved election by acclimation, Wolcott second, passed unanimously. Attached and below.
3. Election of new Chair (Aug 09-Aug11) and Vice-Chair (chairman elect Aug 11-13)
Following vote, officers elected as follows:
Chairman: Coastal Conservation Association, Joey Park
Vice Chair/Chair Elect: Texas Deer Association, Warren Bluntzer (automatically moves up to Chair August 2011 for a 2 yr term)
Secretary: TexasHuntFish.com, Jason Parrish (serves til Aug, 2010)
Treasurer: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Michael Gookins (serves til Aug, 2010)
Steering Committee: Term:organization:name
3 Dallas Safari Club, Ben Carter
1 Ducks Unlimited, Jason McKey
2 Houston Safari Club, Chris Susilovich
3 Quail Unlimited, Tim Connolly
1 Texas Trophy Hunters Association, Joe Betar
2 Texas Association of Bass Clubs, Randi Wayland
3 Texas Bighorn Society, Charles Wolcott
1 Texas Black Bass Unlimited, Ed Parten
2 National Wild Turkey Federation, Texas Chapter, Robert Linder
3 Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Jim Cathey
1 Recreational Fishing Alliance, Jim Smarr
2 Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries, Bob Corrigan
3 Texas Outdoor Council, Zach Hall
1 Texas BASS Federation Nation, Tim Cook
2 Texas Farm Bureau, Billy Howe
3 Texas Hawking Association, Sheldon Nicolle
Past Chairman: Texas Wildlife Association, Kirby Brown
4. Approval of Financials: Gookins and Brown reported income of $17,905 and expenses of $10,452.28, approval moved by Corrigan, second by Mason, passed unanimously.
III. Turning over the reins – new chairman remarks
Brief remarks by Park thanking members for support, pledging meeting with division directors at TPWD.
IV. Legislative activities
A. Fund 9 and TPWD issues
1. Full stamp appropriations
Legislature proposed to expend stamp funds for existing spending within TPWD budget, and only during a budget surplus will it be possible to put funds toward new on-the-ground projects
2. Continued full appropriation of Fund 9
Continued need to push for full appropriation of Fund 9 hunting and fishing license dollars.
3. Dedicated parks funding and full appropriation of Sporting Goods Sales Tax, examine articles in tax
Continued desire to pursue full appropriation of sporting goods tax and appropriate items for taxation.
4. IT issues
Concerns about hunting and fishing license dollars going to IT changes unnecessarily high.
5. More boots on the ground for Tech Guidance, public access to hunting and fishing
Continued desire to fund additional technical guidance and access for hunting and fishing.
6. Impacts of Game Warden salary increases on Fund 9
Concern expressed on impacts to Fund 9 biannual game warden salary increases and impacts to other divisions.
B. Legislative activity in interim
Water issues will likely be a key topic during the interim.
C. Other
Sign-on letters provided for discussion, as well as TABC letter or gun displays.
V. Development of TOP 5 Talking Points
A. Hunting
B. Fishing
C. Wildlife Watching
D. Other issues?
Development of talking points as per Boots, core messages on top 5 subjects, discussion of hunting, fishing, wildlife watching/outdoors, private property rights, water, education/youth outdoors and in schools. Develop over the next year under new leaders.
VI. TOP Standing Committees – activities reports
A. Youth and Education
B. Marketing and Publicity – TOP, Hunting/Fishing
C. Conservation and Management Projects
D. Legislative Advocacy for Conservation/Hunting/Angling
VII. Adjourn
Next Full Meeting?
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